JESUS:“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (Jn 16:12-13 ESV)

PAUL:“But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” (1 2:7-10 ESV)

“And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.” (2 Cor 12:3-4 ESV)

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. (Eph 5:32 ESV)

Isn’t it interesting that Paul mentioned that Jesus would not have been crucified, if those who finally did, would have had the knowledge of divine things revealed to them? I would even go so far to say that no one who knew God’s truth beforehand would ever be inclined to go against Christ. Instead, people would praise Him for fulfilling every human beings needs and desires abundantly, even eternally! Also, if all Christians knew what God wants to bestow on them, even in this age, they would immediately stop fighting against one another and seek to become one with one another instead. They would lose any interest in this-worldly things, in politics, in circumstances we cannot change – whatever. If what I just said is true, why did God not manifest Himself to all mankind so that they could know, read love, Him, too? Only God knows why since all things happen according to His plan…

Let’s hear another brother, Jay Ferris, with His thoughts about this very issue. Here is his whole blog article in which he also mentions further examples in the Bible about God’s secrets that remain hidden to our understanding unless He reveals them to us through His Holy Spirit so that we can know, hear, see, feel, and taste they are the truth (see Ps 34:8 and 1 Pt 2:3).

There are several places in the Bible that speak of things that can’t be told.Perhaps the most notable is at the last Supper when Jesus informed His disciples that He had more to say to them, but that they were not yet ready to receive it.Another example is Mary, when receiving the revelation that she was to be the mother of Jesus. This too was something that could not be told, at least not until there was the confirmation of another witness.Somewhat later Paul informs the carnal Christians at Corinth that he does speak a word among the mature, but that he could not yet address them as mature.Still later Paul speaks of having surpassing revelations, “things that a man is not permitted to tell.”The writer of Hebrews has much to share with them, but can’t do so due to their dullness of hearing at a time when they should already have been teachers.We could also note that Daniel was told to seal up a scroll which would have to wait until an appointed time in the distant future.

For most of human history the greatest truth remained a mystery, “Christ in You the hope of Glory” to be revealed only in Paul’s time. While Paul just came right out with it, we are still left to wonder what can this revelation possibly mean. So why the delay in our ability to “Get it”?

People are not ready for the truth. This can be true because of the carnality of the hearers. It can also be the result of the times. There are times before which we just are not capable of comprehending the revelation. In any case, time is an important factor. It may be that a second witness is required to confirm the revelation, and this too is time related.Perhaps it might help if we reduce and simplify. Assume with me for a moment that all of this that can’t be told is the same revelation. Suppose this revelation was so big it was beyond our comprehension. Suppose this is also a revelation whose time has come or is rapidly coming upon us. Suppose that this revelation has to do with the priority of God, and not our own priorities. Suppose this has to do with the intimacy of the Godhead from the time the world began. Suppose this is not about generic relationships, but about very specific relationships and purposes in God having their origins in and by Him. These are relationships so full of the passion and purposes of Christ, and not some kind of human decisions, born out of religious merchandising by those who are like children sitting in the market place touting their agendas, and clouding the wisdom that is known of her children.

There are signs of late that just such a perversion and misuse is now beginning to descend onto and into the loneliness of God’s people, especially the young people. This brought to us by religious merchandisers, half baked, and bound to cause greater relational disasters than have already plagued the church for generations in the flesh.Relationships in Christ are not generic, they are born of Him for His purposes, and not as mere religious toys. Beware of the half baked peddlers that are beginning to come on the scene. I hope to spend a little more time here in the days immediately ahead.

Assume with me for a moment that all of this that can’t be told is the same revelation. Suppose this revelation was so big it was beyond our comprehension.

Yes! I do believe Jay was right here and I also assume he knew from his own experience what he was talking about. The manifestation of Christ IN us (cf. Jn 14:21,23), the hope of glory, is indeed a profound mystery that is only shadowed by marriage as Paul said further above. However, we can be sure that however great the joy and pleasure an earthly marriage might bring, it is nothing compared with the love God wants to share with us. It is only its shadow. Or as Martin Luther put it, “Marriage is an earthly thing.” But being married to God through Christ’s Spirit is a heavenly thing and it is the greatest love of all. We can only share in this supernatural love when God has enabled us to worship Him in Spirit and Truth – anywhere we go and at all times, just as it is written,

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (Jn 4:21-24 ESV)

The bible could never compare to the Being of God–humans epistemologically know about some things concerning God–but to Ontologically experience the reality of God Himself for all of eternity–there is no comparison!

I get overwhelmed by the Goodness of God; overwhelmed by his Love and there are NEVER ENOUGH exclamation points to adequately describe what God has done for me and wants to do for ALL of us in Jesus the Christ of God, our Father and spiritual Bridegroom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God bless you richly, more than you can ask or think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And forgive me dear sister for offending with exclamation points 🙂 It is all God’s fault 🙂 He turned my 😦 to a godzillion exclamation points 🙂 Until there is a rapture emoticon and a Glory Divine emoticon and a “Christ in you” emoticon, exclamation points will have to suffice! Love to you dear Susanne!

No offense taken, my dear sister. ❤ Indeed, I always smile when I see your gazillion, oh, hahaha, GODZILLION exclamation points. You have so funny ideas, Yvonne! Indeed, you made my day (grinning like a Cheshire 🐱 now). Also, I would love to see ❤ buttons instead of those boring LIKE buttons on WordPress at times like these, but no, not available yet. 😦

DICTIONARY DEFINITION OF GLORY IS GOD’S CHARACTERISTICS; \PETER IN 2ND CHAPTER 1 V 4 ” GOD HAS GIVEN US GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES THAT WE CAN BE PARTAKERS OF HIS DEVINE NATURE. IN DECLARING SOME OF HIS CHACTERISTICS, I LIKE TO BEGIN WITH JEREMIAH 9 V 24, WHEN I BOAST ABOUT HIM THAT HE IS A GOD OF LOVINGKINDNESS, RIGHTEOUSNESS & JUDGE: (THIS DELIGHTS HIM!) I THINK HE LIKES FOR ME TO RECOGNIZE OTHER NAMES. I COULD STATE WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS USING BIBLICAL NAMES. BUT, TO KEEP THIS SHORTER I WILL USE ENGLISH:
CREATER, MASTER, PROVIDER, HEALER, SHEPHERD, PEACE, ONE WHO CAN BE PRESENT WITH ME, GOD OF MULTITUDES, SANCTIFIER, ANCIENT OF DAYS. ABBA FATHER, FATHER OF LIGHTS. TO NAME THE ONES I CAN THINK OF. MY DEFINITION OF GLORY NOW IS “EVERY THING GOOD ABOUT HIM IN THE BIBLE. WE CAN READ THEM BUT AS YOU SAY IT REQUIRES THE HOLY SPIRIT TO ILLUMINATE THEM TO US. AS PART OF THE MYSTERY ABOUT THIS. JOHN 21 V 25 SAYS “AND THERE ARE ALSO MANY OTHER THINGS THAT JESUS DID, WHICH IF THEY WERE WRITTEN ONE BY ONE, I SUPPOSE EVEN THE WORLD ITSELF COULD NOT CONTAIN THE BOOKS THAT WOULD BE WRITTEN.”
“GLORY” ABOVE IS TAKEN FROM “HOPE OF GLORY” COLLOSIIANS 1 V 27. ALSO: “THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER.: OMNISCIENT.: (ALL KNOWING)

Bernie, I have always liked John 21:25 too since John, the one only apostle who Jesus loved in a very particular relationship, most obviously had more revelation about Jesus and His glory than all the others had. Also, none of the other three writers of the gospels pointed to Christ, His overwhelming love, and His eternal divine being as God as often as John did. It appears to me, John knew what he was talking about…

YES, JOHN 17 & ALL THRU IST JOHN: LOVE IS THE THEME. IN 1ST John 1 vs 1-4 HE WANTED HIS READERS TO RECEIVE THIS LOVE. TO MAKE IT PERSONAL HE BEGAN TO TELL THEM WHO HE HAD LOOKED UPON, TOUCHED, HE WANTED TO SHARE THIS WITH THEM ABOUT ABOUT ETERNAL LIFE. HE WANTED THEM TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM, SO THAT THEIR JOY WOULD BE FULL! Fellowship: A close experience one with another!

Susanne, thanks for posting this. What got my attention was what Jay said about relationships…

“Suppose this is not about generic relationships, but about very specific relationships and purposes in God having their origins in and by Him. These are relationships so full of the passion and purposes of Christ, and not some kind of human decisions..Relationships in Christ are not generic, they are born of Him for His purposes, and not as mere religious toys.”

I have come to believe that most of what we see in Christendom is composed of “generic relationships.” You know, the “meet, eat and retreat” kind where He hears from us and we see each other once a week and call it good. The kind of relationships that God wants ones in which we become totally ONE with the Father and the Son, and that we through this, come to know one another in the Spirit with the same level of intimacy. You can not talk about a body without seeing the intimacy and relationships of each individual members of that body. Each organ is dependent on the other. On organ is missing that the whole body goes out of whack. And Christ is our Head and there is no other intermediary between the members of His body and Himself. We ALL have equal access to the Father through Him!

It is because of this relationship as member to the head that we also can have intimate relationships with each other and the kind of relationships I am speaking of are not maintained only on one hour a week in a crowded hall in which everything is orchestrated by a man and his idea of what should happen. Professional clergy need not apply, but if they want to come down in the trenches and get real with the rest of His body, they are welcome.

Susanne, you wrote, “But being married to God through Christ’s Spirit is a heavenly thing and it is the greatest love of all. We can only share in this supernatural love when God has enabled us to worship Him in Spirit and Truth – anywhere we go and at all times.”

I believe that God puts us with certain individuals In Christ by His design and not our own and He does this for HIS purposes. He is using those to whom He has given His Spirit, to paint a wonderful mosaic of His Son… Jesus Christ living and breathing here on earth. We all have tried to put ourselves together with other saints at times and have seen it end a dismal failure. But when GOD assembles us as HE wills, something special and lasting happens. I think of Jonathan and David who had a love for one another that was better than that of a woman. And also about John and Jesus where we find John in the gospels so in love with Jesus that he reclined at the last supper with his head on Jesus’ breast. He was “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” was the one who went on to write about the love of God over and over in His gospel and letters and He knew this love first hand with Christ and the saints.

“Father, do what you have to do to strip us of our self-centered mindsets and fill us with your love for you and for one another. Let us then be placed with the members of Christ’s body you have destined us to be joined to and let your love flow between us as a sign that it is your doing and out of that love, let us bring forth YOUR eternal fruit. Amen.”

You’re very welcome, Michael. I like what you so rightly pointed out here as you said,

“We all have tried to put ourselves together with other saints at times and have seen it end a dismal failure. But when GOD assembles us as HE wills, something special and lasting happens.”

Indeed, whether we tried it in churches, in home churches or in any other private meeting (even on the internet), what God has not ordained won’t work at all, for it is written,

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” (Ps 127:1 ESV)

It is certainly not easy to acknowledge that some relationships need to end in order to strengthen those fellowships God has given. If we always try to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds too, sooner or later we will be exhausted and no longer be able to hear His voice because of our own restlessness of mind and heart. Strange, I really do not know why I added that last paragraph here; it was NOT my intention, that’s for sure… 🙄

I could not help but be reminded by this post of the scene in “A Few Good Men” where Jack Nicholson snarls from the witness stand, “You can’t HANDLE the truth!”

We don’t like admitting that there may be something we can’t understand.

It’s false pride, really. If God says we’re not ready, we’re not. Plain and simple. It was not until a Jewish friend accused Christians of polytheism(!) that I understood how difficult it must have been for Jews in Jesus’ day to receive His message as anything other than blasphemy. Coming from anyone else, it would have been.

I do flinch at the idea of private revelation. The Gnostics were not the only heretics to claim secret knowledge. Scientologists make the same claim today…aggressively marketing and vigorously defending it. We must, therefore, we very cautious when approaching this topic.

However, knowledge withheld from all excepting a “special” few, and knowledge presently beyond our understanding are not entirely the same thing.

I love Michael’s analogy of God assembling us into the mosaic of Christ. How often have we encountered people who brought out the best in us, who understood us almost without words? Personally, I am very blessed that you and Michael have crossed my path, Susanne. I’m sure God had more than a little to do with it.

I understood the Jews too when I would think about their problem with suddenly being confronted with “three gods” instead of ONLY ONE. Also, I could understand all people, some of them Jewish, who said that they did not get it why God let His one and only Son suffer that much. We as human beings cannot grasp the thoughts of God. But for me it was always relieving to read that Jesus sacrificed Himself voluntarily.

“For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this charge I have received from my Father.”
(John 10:17-18 RSVA)

And you are right that we must be cautious about any revelation others claim to have, esp. Gnostics, Scientologists, Christian Science etc. pp. (there are so many sects and cults and a lot of ridiculous stuff on the net as well 😛 ). I believe when God gives us a special private revelation, all doubts about Him will disappear into nirvana as we see, for example, when Saul was converted on his way to Damascus. He was blinded by the Light and afterwards convinced of having met the Messiah of the Jews eventually.

Yes, Michael’s mosaic picture is a great and vivid comparison!

Personally, I too have been very blessed to have come to know you, dear Anna. I am sure God had more than one finger in the pie, so to say. 🙂

I recognize that Scripture reflects certain individuals having received special revelations. My concern stems from the fact they have been misused — by some and some only — to establish false religions. I think it’s the suspicious lawyer in me.

Yes, Anna, I understand that. Having been in a cult, I saw how very easy it was to misuse almost all of Scripture. Therefore I am always cautious and need to discern the spirits as to whatever I read or hear. I can’t tell you how many nonsensical “revelations” I read on several blogs on the net, but I decided to remain silent which was not always that easy. 😉

Anna and Susanne, you both mentioned how cults have used private “revelation” to establish their own kingdoms, but I hold that anytime a religious group has a man or a woman as its absolute authority that can not be questioned, you have a cult! When that person’s words are repeated thoughtlessly by the “faithful” you have a cult following. I was raised a Catholic and the encyclicals and papal bulls out of Rome were not to be questioned, but once I “got saved” and became a Methodist, the words of John Wesley were held as absolute. Then you have the Baptists and the words of Jerry Falwell. As Kevin Roose who attended Liberty University concluded, if the worship of Jerry Falwell is not idolatry there, it is at least North Korean. We have seen hundreds of high profile main line church leaders fall in the last 30 years. Why? Because power corrupts.

My point is this, when Jesus final prayer was “Father that they might be one even as we are one,” and today we have over 41,000 different denominations and sects claiming Christ and the Bible as the word of God, man in is propensity to being deceived has not been saved by his knowledge of the scriptures. The only thing that can save us from ourselves is taking up our crosses that deal with our flesh and following Christ. Like Jesus said, “He who loses his (soul) life will find it, but he who finds his (soul) life will lose it.”

Well, what you said is true, Michael. As for the cult Christian Science, for instance, with which I was confronted about 30 years ago when I began to study at university, there once had been a female founder who claimed to have more revelation than the members of that cult and her followers had to believe what was taught (*). If not, you and I know what the consequences were: if you want to belong, you need to “obey”. If you don’t, they will try to gag you, and if that does not work, you must leave and can be sure that no one will ever be interested in your fate once again as long as they belong to the cult themselves. Cults do not need members that use their own reason in order to find out the truth, still less they want followers who cease to follow them but begin to follow Christ and His Spirit who guides them into all the truth.

Every blessing,
Susanne

(*) Mary Baker Eddy was for spiritual healing through prayer in any case, against the Trinity, and addressed God as Father-Mother, for example

Yes, Susanne, I have also been in two Christian cults and some very cultish churches over the years. Always the leadership was not to be questioned and woe to the person that did. They know how to make a public example out of you and use peer pressure to make you wish you never had opened your mouth. Most of these groups also practice the subjugation of women often to the point that they are totally silenced. Another thing they have in common is that the teachings of the leader are held in higher regard than the the words of Christ or the Bible. Many of them also encourage isolation from other Christians lest they become defiled by them and in general the members feel that they are “God’s chosen” and have a special inside track to God’s knowledge and heaven.

It is not only the fringe Christian groups that practice many of these unwritten rules, but many main line churches do as well. Any time that Christ is not allowed to be the center of the lives of church members and the Spirit is not allowed to be THE Teacher in the lives of the faithful, as far as I am concerned you have a cult in the making. Thanks for your thoughts on this. ⭐

I agree with every word you wrote above, Michael. Alas, that is exactly the way cults, or their “huge forms” aka mainline churches, have worked from the very beginning. Not every church turns out a “cult”, but in order to stay inside, there is ALWAYS something to do for the average church member, even though it might only be paying tithes and other donations which is NOT biblical, either, unless we still live it Old Covenantal times and I have not realized that as yet. They always add to something to Christ…

Yes, Susanne, we who are Christ’s live in a NEW and LASTING covenant that is not like the old one WHICH GOD MADE WITH ISRAEL not the Gentiles. Jesus filled up the just requirements of the Law so that there would no longer be a wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles and ALL who believe in Him are now ONE NEW man in Christ. It is strange to me that some of those who least understand this are those who claim to be in “Bible churches.” We are now in a NEW priesthood and are a kingdom of priests in Christ. In this kingdom there is a NEW law (read Hebrews ch. 7&8). ALL things have been made NEW and the old things are passed away.

BTW, I have always felt sorry for our poor brother Peter (the apostle). So many of his faults are written down in the Bible and whenever Christians try to find someone of Jesus’ disciples who got it all wrong, you can be sure, it was Peter. Can you think of anything the apostle John did wrongly?……. I can’t….. right now……. 🙄

“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Teacher, we would that you should do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would you that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on your right hand, and the other on your left hand, in your glory. But Jesus said unto them, You know not what you ask: can you drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:35-38 KJ2000)

Well, very good example, Michael! Thank you so much for sharing this! 🙂

It clearly shows that both James and john had not known God at that time at all. Thinking about thrones is a thing that belongs to the Old Adam nature that does not yet know the love of God. The one who loves does not need a throne…

“the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing, ‘Worthy art thou, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for thou didst create all things, and by thy will they existed and were created.'”
(Revelation 4:10-11 RSVA)

Interesting discussion. Regretfully, I haven’t be available to comment lately.

However, regarding the new covenant, Paul clarified, “Again I ask: Did they [Jews] stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.” [Romans 11:11 NIV] Paul begs the question, “Are we individually living a life that would make a Jew envious (jealous)?” There is no reason that a Jew would want to hear a gospel message from us, unless he sees something in our life that is desirable. After all, we have to overcome 2,000 years of sometimes vicious anti-Semitism. What do you think?

Indeed, as I referred to understanding the Jews regarding several doubts they might still have, I said that because I had very similar thoughts in the past. Human reason always has had insurmountable difficulties to grasp God’s ways of thinking and acting. As for the Scripture you mentioned, I assume Paul did not so much think of his own person as he said,

“Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.” (Rom 11:13-14 ESV)

I wonder whether he rather referred to his ministry that was accompanied by signs and wonders which could the Jews make jealous. What do you think? 😉

Interesting thought, Susanne. Signs and wonders will get people’s attention, for the moment, but will fade quickly. What lasts is when people see in us the components of love, which include humility, forgiveness, mercifulness, longsuffering, and a servant’s spirit, i.e. when they see the character of God in us.

THE FOLLOWING IS A RELATIONSHIP WITH A LOCAL CHRISTIAN SISTER WITH
ABOUT 10 YEARS TOGETHER. MAYBE WE ARE GETTING THERE AS MUCH
AS THE INTERNET ALLOWS.” “I CAN SEE THAT YOU LOVE JESUS” I will change
the wording for us: ” I KNOW YOU LOVE JESUS: IT’S PLAIN TO SEE! THAT YOU SIT CLOSE AND HEAR HIS HEART BEAT.FOR YOU EXPERIENCE SHINING LOVE
SO DEARLY AND I CAN READ YOU TO SAY SO SWEETLY: ‘JESUS IS LOVELY.!
HE IS HOLY! HE GAVE SO SUPREMELY THAT ALL MEN MIGHT SEE: HE IS GENTLE, TENDER HEARTED, RISEN SAVIOR. HE IS GOD!”

IT LOOKS LIKE JESUS PUT UP WITH JAMES & JOHN’S FOOLISH REQUEST.
HE ONLY TOLD THEM THE TRUTH. HE DID NOT SCOLD THEM ABOUT IT.HE DID SCOLD HIS DISCIPLES ABOUT THEIR LACK OF FAITH.. PAUL AND PETER
HAD PROBLEMS: PAUL WITH MARK THAT CAUSED BARNABUS TO LEAVE PAUL. PAUL MADE AMENDS WITH MARK.LATER.
PAUL CRITICIZED PETER WHEN HE RETURNED TO FOLLOW JEWS OVER
CIRCUMCISION.GAL. 2 VS 11=12 Paul’s remarks: NOW WHEN PETER HAD COME
TO ANTIOCH, I WITHSTOOD HIM TO HIS FACE BECAUSE HE WAS TO BE BLAMED. Peter left the Gentiles :”HE WITH DREW HIMSELF :’FEARING THOSE OF
THE CIRCUMCISION.”
Do yOU think that Jesus puts up with us on occasion for our mistakes?

I loved this post. I know there are many mysteries that Christ did not reveal to me until I was ready. I’m sure there are many more to come. That is a bit of a blow to the pride, but also a very loving and protective act, a bit like covering someone’s eyes at the scene of an accident. When God has finally revealed something to me, it was so profoundly earth shattering or psyche breaking, that I instantly understood why I did not see or understand sooner. Honestly, I think it would have crushed me and these are mostly pleasant things. I’ve come to think of God a bit like a delicate surgeon, performing some very intricate work on us with the utmost caution and skill. There’s an old joke, “you just can’t put watermelon ideas in a pea brain.”

Sometimes I rather humoroulsy think of Mary and how an angel appeared before her….and she simply fainted dead away, so now we don’t know the rest of the story. All in good humor here, but there is a reason the first words angels usually speak is, “fear not!”

I do like what you said about our loving God protecting us until we are mature enough to be confronted with another truth, or rather, with digging deeper into the divine. 😉 The comparison with the accident fits too!

You also wrote, “you just can’t put watermelon ideas in a pea brain.”

Hahaha… Very funny, thanks for sharing this! 😀

Yes, we often read this, “Fear not” when human beings were all of a sudden confronted with the supernatural realm that descended upon them. I assume it is the glory of God that was so hard to cope with and the sight of disclosed supernatural beauty that can make human beings pass out unless they got “used” to God’s glorious presence as it was for Jesus and later the apostles too. But at first it was all new to them and Peter, James and John “fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” (Mt 17:6-7 ESV)

Hey, Gabrielle, your comment was thought-provoking, once again. Maybe it leads to new blog post of mine. Thank you! 🙂

ALSO.ABOUT JAMES & JOHN ASKING A FOOLISH ?: He took the opportunity
to say this: Mark 10 vs 41-45: “And when the 10 heard it. they began to be
displeased with James and John. But, JESUS CALLED THEM TO HIMSELF AND
SAID TO THEM:’YOU KNOW THAT THOSE WHO ARE CONSIDERED RULERS
OVER THE GENTILES LORD IT OVER THEM AND THEIR GREAT ONES EXERCISE AUTHORITY OVER THEM. YET IT SHALL NOT BE SO AMONG YOU;
BUT WHOEVER DESIRES TO BECOME GREAT FIRST SHALL BE SLAVE OF ALL
FOR EVEN THE SON OF MAN DID NOT COME TO BE SERVED, BUT TO SERVE AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE A RANSOM FOR MANY.”
This reminds again what I said about “JOY”: JESUS AND OTHERS AND YOU
WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO SPELL “JOY” FOR EACH GIRL AND BOY!
“J” IS FOR JESUS, FOR HE TAKES FIRST PLACE! “O” IS FOR OTHERS YOU
MEET FACE TO FACE! “Y” IS FOR YOU AND WHAT EVER YOU DO, PUT
YOURSELF LAST AND SPELL “JOY”!

Yes, I recognized that song which you shared with me before, Bernie. Actually, Jesus was at times very challenging in his suggestions and I believe it was neither that thrilling an experience for James and John nor for the rich young man when they were confronted by our Lord with something they could NOT do – ever. Neither could the young ruler sell all his possessions in order to give it to the poor and THEN follow Jesus, nor can the old self which has the fatal inclination to lord over others put itself last. That is not natural for the natural man who finds joy in having the first place. It seems our Lord always pointed people who thought they could “make it” somehow to the fact that they could not do anything apart from Him.

I HAVE ANOTHER TESTIMONY OF THE GOODNESS OF GOD: PAT AND I
TRAVELLED 150 MILES TO ATTEND HER AUNT’S FUNERAL. I WAS TIRED
AND FELT THAT SOMETHING WAS HAPPENING AS A FORWARNING OF
A MANIC ATTACK. SO, SAT IN A SEAT OUT IN THE FOYER. AS I WAS RELAXING
2 HYMNS CAME TO ME THAT BROUGHT THE HELP I NEEDED:
#1: MY HEAVENLY FATHER WATCHES OVER ME AND SONG # 2 ABOUT
JESUS CALMING THE STORM. “PEACE, BE STILL”,SAID HE!

It was like when I practiced medicine, often the morning work was emotionally
taxing and I felt fatigue like above. During lunch hour, I laid down on an
examining table to get 20-30 minutes sleep. AT TIMES WHEN I WAS ESPECIALLY
FATIGUED, BEFORE I SLEPT, I MEDITATED PS 23 VS 1-3. ASKING GOD
TO RESTORE MY SOUL or PROVERBS 18 V 10: “THE NAME OF THE LORD
IS A STRONG AND MIGHTY TOWER: ..THE RIGHTEOUS RUN IN TO IT
AND ARE SAFE!” So, I PICTURED MY SELF ENTERING IN A CAVE WITH THE NAME OF THE LORD AT THE ENTRANCE. THEN, AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO GET THE REST I NEEDED. SO, MY( GOOD) HEAVENLY FATHER WATCHED OVER ME!

THE RICH YOUNG MAN THOUGHT HIS GOOD WORKS WAS ENOUGH. TO
BAD HE REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE GOODNESS OF JESUS WHO
REPRESENTED HIS FATHER WHO WAS THE ONLY ONE GOOD. JESUS SAID!

Oh, I am glad to hear that God helped you to avoid the outbreak of another manic attack, dear Bernie. It was fascinating for me to see that God speaks to you through hymns and HOW that works! Wow!!

That is an interesting coincidence, Bernie. In years past I also had the cave picture on my mind when I wanted to flee this world’s busyness and the restlessness of my own mind. In my case, there was a long stony staircase that led deeper and deeper into the cave until I finally reached a translucent and completely calm lake in which I used to swim – or even only lying on my back in the water – until I felt more and more relaxed. It was somehow like pulling back from the outside into my inside where God dwells. Thank you for reminding me of this meditation again. 🙂

I also think the rich young man was focused on what he could do for God, on his good works only. But Jesus made it very clear that there is nothing we could ever do for Him which is good in God’s own sight since ALL good things come from above.

Dear Susanne,
I stumbled on your blog 3 nights ago and I have been reading and reading since then. I joined word press so that I could message you. Thank you for this blog. For allowing God’s light shine through you.

I am happy to hear that you found my entries helpful. 🙂
Also, thank you very much for following my blog! Actually, I saw that you joined WordPress and wanted to follow your blog as well, yet it seemed to me there were no blog posts of yours as yet. Maybe, in the days ahead? 😉

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“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."
(John 3:16-17 ESV)

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